Down's Syndrome Awareness Week late May or early June

People with Down's Syndrome are some of the happiest and most loving people you can ever meet. Down's is genetically determined. Simply, people who have the syndrome have an extra chromosome. This has an effect on their physical appearance and, sadly, it may also affect their health, perhaps causing heart defects or hearing difficulties. Those who have Down's may not be as intellectually quick as other people but they are well able to learn - here is David doing Maths - and to take part in physical activities such as dancing, swimming or horse-riding. And they share all the interests that other people have, from cooking to pop music.

Down's Syndrome Awareness Week provides an opportunity to find out more about this condition and to strengthen our commitment to care for and respect those who have it.

Adults who have Down's Syndrome often need support to enable them to work and have fulfilling social lives. Some of them find a home in one of the Camphill communities. These were founded by Dr Karl Konig, the first one being established in 1939.

Dr Konig recognised that people with disabilities such as autism, brain damage, and Down's Syndrome could develop much more fully than old-fashioned attitudes and institutions allowed them to.